Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-19

1901.
This subject of decorations Lee Camp
has placed in the hands OF committee,
which has already had one or two meet
ines, and yesterday again met in the
rooms of the Chamber of Commerce
when there were present Messrs. Lonis
i. Bossieux (chairman), j. w. Thomas,
James NJ. Harenon, and John X. Mol
10y also, G. l.. Siegel, Esq.
FAME.
The following letter, presented at
previous meeting, was again read:
RICHMOND, August II, 1887.
To the Committee IN Chorge Of Deco
rdtiOns on tic Occasion Of Dedi-
cating the Ice Monument:
Gentlemen, The proposition l de-
sire TO make to you is as follows / will
erect q colossal figure of "Fame
Growing Lee" to be placed at the
head of Lee avenue or Monumental
street, the figure of Fame to be
figure twelve feet in height, on n pc
dostal also twelve feet high-the whole
being twenty-four feet-the figure of
Lee to be a bust four feet tall on a six
foot pedestal. This group will be
beautifully ornamented with appropri
ate designs, all having the appearance
of marble, and will be erected by me
for the sum OF 5000 The figures will
be very large and artistic, and will re-
quire all the time that could be devoted
TO them from now until October 25th.
The head of Lee in the bust will be
three times the size of life.
Very respectfully,
JOIN A. ELDER.
FINANCES.
The chairman was directed to COM
municate with Mr.. Elder and ask him
for a sketch of the proposed work.
The committee are impressed with
his idea, but their finances are not in
that advanced condition TO enable them
to act advisedly.
General John Il. Cooke, chairman of
the Executive Committee, has assured
the Committee on Decorations that
they will not have less than 1890 to
spend bnt they will need much more
than that.
TIE SITUATION.
The truth is that it is not easy to
proceed intelligently until the City
Council act. If they will vote the
$15, Geo asked, Lee Camps committees
will turn the work over to them or will
go on with their help.
The statue proposed by Mr.. Elder
would give to tie Monument grounds
great interest, but to make it in time
he must have the order given him
promptly.
1t would relieve the situation might
" if the City Council would at an
early day vote the sum of money
which, in their judgment, is necessary.
PROFESSIONALS.
The chairman was also instructed to
communicate with several professional
decorators in the North with a view to
getting them to come on here with the
chance of getting orders for the decora-
tion of private houses, and also for the
erection of some of the arches.
1t has been said by some that it
would be cheaper to get these profes-
sional decorators to do all the work.
Maybe so. But they can't do it as it
should be done-that is, not unless
they work under the direction of our
artists. What do these professionals
know Of our history, of Glr traditions,
of our aspirations Lots of flags aud
eagles and well-worn trophies won't do.
There must be appropriateness of de-
sign. there must be application to the
occasion, as there was in 1881, when
every arch was historical study.
The Committee on Decorations
adjourned to meet at the cell of the
chairman.
TIE COMMISSIONS.
The model of the monument is here,
and it is understood that before long
Merci6 will furnish working drawings
for the ground plan, so that the corner
stone will be what its name implies-a
part of the grand granite structure
on which the statue will rest.
THE MAsoNs.
Mr.. William +. Drinkard, grand
master of Virginia Masons, has already
been informed that it is the desire OF
the Lee-Monument Association that
the Grand Lodge shall lay the corner
stone. To day, probably, he will re-
ceive en- official letter on the subject,
which he can formally lay before the
Grand Lodge for their action.
If they accept, as expected, the pro-
cession of mounted Templars and the
other Masons on foot will help out the
parade very mach.
There is no doubt that we are going
to have the finest parade ever seen in
Richmond.
INVITATIONS.
The determination of the Invitation
Committee is to take the roster OF the
army and mail an invitation to each
general officer living. Malone and
Lopgstreet will be just as much invited
as anybody else.
This was settled some time ago. There
never was any thought OF culling
But there are great many other per-
sons beside these general officers to be
invited. There will be governors,
senators, &c. The list, as yet, is incom-
plete.
II is TO be hoped that the invitation
card will be OF artistic design and IN
good keeping with the historical asso,
Citations OF the occasion with tho TACT
that this is 10 be grand reunion OF the
suryiyors OF the soldiers OF the Confed-
eracy to lay the cornerstone OF mon
ument TO Lee.
FINANCE COMMITTEE or THE CAMP.
Undoubtedly tho City Council win
make an appropriation, but 4 they
Give al that h asked. that viii only %
fl6. .O00. Moro money than thAt VII
S. needsd. Henee tke exlelenqe 8